Travel Counsellors has experienced a radical post-COVID-19 recovery, not only in South Africa, but worldwide as well, and its larger and growing network of TCs will help the business keep up with demand.
Travel Counsellors (global) reported its best-ever month in January with £114 million (R2,6bn) in sales. The figures for Q1 of Travel Counsellors’ new financial year are also 65% up from pre-pandemic levels, confirmed Steve Byrne, global CEO of Travel Counsellors. He was speaking at Travel Counsellors’ first annual conference in South Africa in three years.
And the company said it expected to post even more record-breaking numbers when official company results were announced in the coming weeks.
Byrne said: “We are incredibly passionate and focused on building a community of the very best travel entrepreneurs who are empowered by our platform to deliver exceptional customer experiences.”
In South Africa
Byrne said a significant investment in technology had helped to double the size of Travel Counsellors’ business in every home country.
Travel Counsellors is considered the UK’s largest technology platform for travel entrepreneurs. In South Africa, the brand’s network has grown to around 152 TCs.
Byrne was delighted to be back in South Africa and praised the local leadership for steering the business through COVID-19.
He said there was still significant pent-up demand for travel internationally. Individuals had saved more disposable income during the pandemic lockdowns but wanted someone – an experienced, reliable consultant like a TC – to hold their hand throughout their journey.
Mladen Lukic, MD of Travel Counsellors in South Africa, said at least 60% of all travel consultants in South Africa were now working as ITCs. “Some TMCs may have re-hired, but we believe the number of ITCs has more than doubled. It is the preferred working model in South Africa.”
Lukic was adamant that Travel Counsellors’ support, teams and cutting-edge technology were unique and major drawcards for experienced agents wanting to join Travel Counsellors’ growing international network. “There is a misconception that being an ITC is like working for a TMC. But TCs operate at a level of sophistication that few TMCs can emulate. The frequency of getting large corporate accounts has never been higher.”
New acquisition
Byrne told the conference that Travel Counsellors had concluded a deal to acquire Holidaysplease, a network of specialist luxury travel advisers based in the UK – the first acquisition in the company’s 30-year history.
The acquisition speaks to a global sales plan to position Travel Counsellors as the go-to for premium luxury and premium corporate travel. Byrne said both businesses (Travel Counsellors and Holidaysplease) shared incredibly similar cultures.
“This is clearly reflected in both brands’ excellent customer feedback and ratings. I am confident that this move will serve to strengthen both businesses’ momentum and offer a safe, secure, and exciting future for all within the community.”
Birmingham-based Holidaysplease is an award-winning travel business made up of about 100 home-working travel experts, 50 franchisees and around 50 employees.
Speaking to Travel News on the sidelines of the conference, Byrne said the news was significant and showed the company’s ambition to grow the brand.
The deal with Holidaysplease is intended to create opportunities for everyone in the wider Travel Counsellors community. Both businesses are keen to leverage and build on their respective success, expertise and knowledge.
Byrne said Travel Counsellors and Holidaysplease shared the same winning people-led values and a customer-first approach.
